Mayors impressed during visit

Tuesday

May 9, 2017 at 12:01 AM

By LEWIS DELAVAN / Staff writer

Several mayors who visited Hot Springs Village recently went away impressed, Property Owners’ Association board chairman John Weidert told the governmental affairs committee last Friday.HSV Metroplan representative Keith Keck helped arrange the visit, which was attended by mayors of North Little Rock, Cabot, Greenbrier and Guy.Metroplan’s executive director, a long-time Conway mayor, and Metroplan's deputy director also visited.Starting with a luncheon at Diamante clubhouse, guests received a brief history of the Village, an overview of key points from the 2016 University of Arkansas Social and Economic Impact study and future growth plans.A brief driving tour of the Village and a round of golf at Isabella Golf Course followed the luncheon.“Lesley [Nalley, chief executive officer] gave a very good presentation,” said Bob Shoemaker.Nalley praised Keck for arranging the visit.Weidert said the visitors could not believe the POA could provide all its amenities, including member golf rates and more than 500 miles of roads, for the $65 assessment on improved lots, and about half that for improved lots.Shoemaker, a former Metroplan representative, said the Village’s relationship with the metropolitan planning agency for central Arkansas has grown over the 17 years that HSV has been a member. Helping forge the relationship between HSV and Metroplan, he said, was Saline County Judge Lanny Fite. Fite now serves the eastern portion of the Village as state representative.Metroplan’s staff is also a valuable resource to its members, said Paul Day, another former Metroplan representative. “A lot of times you can lean on them to get information,” he said.Tom Bryant has also served as a Metroplan rep.Attendees complimented the Village’s beauty and potential, the CEO says. “They know what an economic powerhouse we are,” she said.The Village sells itself to visitors, said chairman Gerald Allen, adding, “The key is getting leaders to Hot Springs Village.”In other business, Richard Johnson gave an update on the GAC’s medical subcommittee. Others on the committee are Bob Hebert, Lu Otto and Tom Arwood.They bring a variety of experience. Johnson managed medical facilities during his career.Hebert’s background includes home health agencies. Otto is helping with demographics.Arwood serves on CHI St. Vincent’s board.Goals include identifying available medical services and determining which services are needed.Many people are not aware of existing services, as no formal listing exists, Johnson said.And the panel will meet with medical providers to see what could be expanded. “It’s not an attempt to judge the quality of existing services,” he said.A top question of many potential residents is what medical services are available, he says.One example of the need for medical services came from Jim Harlow, who said his 96-year-old mother-in- law visits the Village two or three times a year. She is in good health, but the Harlows want to be sure the best medical care possible is available.On broadband Internet, members said not much progress was made during this year’s legislative session, but work continues in the interim. “It’s an issue that’s not going away,” said Jerry Yeric.Several visitors attended the meeting. One Villager questioned property assessments by Garland and Saline counties. Counties are reassessing property values, as required every five years by the state.Saline County Justice of the Peace Jim Zahnd said owners who aren’t happy with their appraisal can file an appeal with the county equalization board. From there, a decision can be appealed to the county judge, then to the courts.